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Van Cleef & Arpels Oriens Eau de Parfum — An Eastern Promise

If there was some magical crystal ball you could gaze into and see your future, I would imagine the orb to be as resplendent and enchanting as this Oriens by Van Cleef & Arpels perfume bottle, with its slightly peach-colored juices adding a mystical luminosity to the bulbous shape. The bottle cap, meanwhile, seems to take a cue from the design of the Nina by Nina Ricci EDP, which features a rounded metallic top with a stem-like base and sculpted metallic leaves caressing the top of the apple-shaped bottle. But, of course, the comparisons stop at the usage of leaf motifs — especially given that the breathtaking cap resembles a giant faceted tourmaline stone, reflecting a myriad of colors ranging from purple to deep green to fiery red. The gemstone aesthetic is no mere coincidence since the Oriens bottle was, in fact, inspired by an actual Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and tourmaline ring. Talk about synergy!

But let’s talk about the bottle’s inner beauty, if you will. A romantic, fruity floral chypré scent, Oriens features top notes of raspberry, black currant and praline; a heart of jasmine and fresh-cut white flowers; and a patchouli base. Even though none of the ingredients are particularly unexpected (we’ve seen plenty of fragrances featuring these very notes), the way they’re utilized here is simply magnificent and even novel. The floral notes add a femininity and tender sensuality to the scent, while the black currant and raspberry liven up the senses and add a sense of excitement, and the patchouli adds an earthy mysteriousness to the experience. Inspired by the silk route to Asia, Oriens takes you on an infinitely intriguing and romantic olfactory ride.